Situated at the northeastern end of the Mediterranean basin, Cyprus is the third largest island with an area of 9.251 square kilometres (3.572 square miles).

It has a typical Mediterranean climate, warm and rather dry, with rainfall mainly between November and March. In general, the island experiences mild wet winters and dry hot summers which are separated by short autumn and spring seasons. The higher mountain areas are cooler and moister than the rest of the island.

The legal ports of entry to the Republic of Cyprus are the International Airports of Larnaka (LCA) and Pafos (PFO) and the ports of Limassol and Larnaka, which are situated in the government-controlled area of the Republic.

Domestic transportation services are mainly performed either by bus or by taxi. Note that there are no trains in Cyprus.

Cyprus is in the Eastern European Time Zone; Standard Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). Like most countries in Europe, Daylight Saving Time is observed in Cyprus, where time is shifted forward by one hour, resulting in the time being three hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +3) during the summer months. After the summer months, the time is shifted back by one hour, resulting in the normal Standard Time (GMT +2).

The official languages of the Republic of Cyprus are Greek and Turkish. English is also widely spoken.

The currency of Cyprus is the Euro. All banks offer foreign currency exchange services and quote the exchange rates of the Euro against all major foreign currencies daily.

Driving is on the left-hand side of the road. All international road traffic signs are in use and placed on the left-hand side of roads and highways. On roundabouts, priority is given to the right side.